The South Orkney Islands are a group of uninhabited islands located in the Southern Ocean, falling under the jurisdiction of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). There is no permanent population and no commercial market. Product compliance in the conventional sense does not apply; instead, all activities, including the importation of goods for scientific missions, are governed by strict environmental protection protocols established under the Antarctic Treaty and associated agreements.

Key Authorities:

• Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs) – Countries with active scientific programs in the region, including the UK, Argentina, and others, enforce the treaty’s environmental and operational guidelines.

• UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) – Manages British compliance under the Antarctic Act 1994 for UK expeditions.

• Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) – Oversees the implementation of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid Protocol).

Key Compliance Elements:

• Accepted Standards:

  • All goods and activities must comply with:

    • The Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection

    • National laws of the country organizing the expedition (e.g., UK’s Antarctic Act)

    • Biosecurity and waste management protocols to prevent environmental contamination

• Biosecurity and Environmental Controls:

  • Strict measures are enforced to protect the fragile Antarctic ecosystem:

    • All equipment and supplies must be thoroughly cleaned before arrival.

    • No introduction of non-native species is allowed.

    • Waste management plans are mandatory, and waste must be removed from the territory.

    • Fuel handling and chemical storage must comply with environmental safety protocols.

• Product Registration:

  • No product registration system exists.

  • Supplies for scientific missions require environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and approvals by the relevant national authority (e.g., UK, Argentina).

• Telecom Equipment:

  • Limited to scientific and logistical communications.

  • Equipment must comply with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regulations and national licensing laws of the expedition’s host country.

• Labeling Requirements:

  • No consumer labeling requirements apply.

  • Equipment and supplies for research must be clearly labeled for inventory and biosecurity control.

• Import Oversight:

  • Managed through the expedition organizers.

  • Required documentation includes:

    • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

    • Cargo manifest and waste management plan

    • Compliance with biosecurity measures

• Market Surveillance:

There is no market or trade. Oversight focuses exclusively on environmental compliance and preservation of the Antarctic environment, monitored by national program operators and international inspection teams under the Antarctic Treaty.